Potential tropical storm prompts watches and warnings in Florida

Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for parts of Florida as the National Hurricane Center said Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 has formed in the Caribbean.

According to the National Hurricane Center on Friday evening, Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 was located about 285 miles southeast of Key West, Florida, and was moving west-northwest at 16 miles per hour. The system had maximum sustained winds of 30 miles per hour with higher gusts.

Summary of Watches and Warnings in Effect:

WFTS

Tropical Storm Warning

• West coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Boca Grande

Tropical Storm Watch

• The Florida Keys south of the Card Sound Bridge including the Dry Tortugas
• The southern coast of the Florida peninsula east of East Cape Sable to the Card Sound Bridge
• The west coast of the Florida peninsula north of Boca Grande to the mouth of the Suwannee River

Storm Surge Watch

• Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area in the next 36 hours.
Scripps News Tampa meteorologist Denis Phillips said the current track shows that the disturbance could make landfall on the west central coast of Florida on Sunday.

Phillips said the storm will either be a tropical depression or a tropical storm at that time. He expects winds between 40 and 50 miles per hour with higher gusts, which is similar to some of the afternoon thunderstorms that roll through Florida.

According to Phillips, there is a chance of some coastal flooding and water rise on Sunday, especially in areas prone to flooding during storms.

Phillips said the system's timing will impact the Tampa Bay area from late Saturday through early Monday, moving from the south to the north. The system will eventually cross the state, so inland areas will also get winds.

"We get 40 to 50 mph winds many times in the summer," Phillips said. "There could be some isolated power outages. Wind-wise, it's an afternoon thunderstorm that will last for several hours."

He continued, "For folks who flood along the coast, high tide could bring a bit of water as well. Water is always the trickiest part of the forecast because it depends on the angle the storm approaches our area of who sees the push and who doesn't."

If the system does develop into a named system, it will be named Debby.

The storm could bring storm surge, heavy rains and strong winds to other parts of Florida and to coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina over the next days, the National Hurricane Center said.

This story was originally reported by Scripps News Tampa.